The bulging eardrum described by the patient, often as a self-conscious sensation of swelling in the ear, is most often caused by middle ear pathology or inner ear pathology. Common middle ear pathologies, such as acute otitis media in the ear, or water in the external ear canal, but by dry cerumen in the ear and therefore can appear swollen when exposed to water. In addition, sudden hearing loss and edema throughout the inner ear in some patients can also cause a swollen feeling in the ear. Therefore, it is recommended that patients visit a hospital in a timely manner to identify the specific causes and address the swelling sensation in the eardrum in a targeted manner.